Gurudwara  (The Guru's Abode)

Gurudwara is the name given to the Sikh place of Worship. Gurudwara means the abode of the Guru. The Gurudwara holds ultimate sanctity in the Sikh world, hence it is important to know of the respect expected from visitors in a Gurudwara.

Individuals intoxicated by alcohol, drugs, tobacco or other narcotic substances are strictly prohibited from entering Gurudwara premises. Some Gurudwaras discourage filming - either amateur or professional - unless permission is granted by the committee, some also prohibit the distribution of political propaganda. Speaking on stage to the congregation also requires permission from the Gurudwara committee. The head must be covered at all times during the visit. If these few rules are observed, the doors of a Gurudwara are open to any person regardless of background, political thought or status.

The first Guru - Guru Nanak Dev Ji performed four great journeys across the Asian continent, at each stop, he performed Kirtan and provided sermons to the devotees. It was normal from the time of his temporary stay, for regular worship to take place twice daily and for langar to be served throughout the day. These place became known as a Dharamsala (Home of faith). Throughout their lives, the Gurus paid regular visits to some of these Dharamsalas, the traditions were maintained and in some, wells or pools were built. 

With the demise of the tenth Guru, the supremacy and authority of Guru was handed to the Guru Granth Sahib and this was later installed in all the Gurudwaras. History has made no secret of the fact that following the tenth master’s demise, Sikhi faced it’s most turbulent period. Sikhs were hunted down like dogs and slaughtered in their hundreds. The Gurudwaras were guarded by the Mughal authorities and most Sikhs stayed away. Naturally, the Gurudwaras began to become derelict, there was no Granthi now to maintain the well being of the shrines.

When Maharaja Ranjit Singh became the ruler of the Punjab, he spent millions of rupees on restoring the derelict Gurudwaras. Most were plated with marble and the Gurudwara in Amritsar known as the Harimandir Sahib was plated with gold. A flag known as a nishan sahib was placed outside each Gurudwara, the Gurudwaras could now become recognised from afar by travellers. The Maharaja also bought acres of land surrounding many of the Gurudwaras and caused for the rebuilding of certain Gurudwaras. He caused for the construction of Gurudwaras in places that had been visited by the Gurus but which were up till now unmarked. The greatest architectural minds of the time and of that continent were employed in this respect.

The once neglected Gurudwaras had again become the centre of Sikh teaching. Many hundreds gathered daily and countless donations of food, clothing and money were received. Kirtan was again performed regularly and many thousands began to gather at these holy houses.

GURUDWARAS.

Guru Nanak was married here to Bibi Sulakhani. He was engaged to the daughter of Mul Chand Chauna who along with the Brahmin priests insisted on a traditional Hindu marriage while Guru Nanak wanted a simple marriage. Guru Nanak was sitting besides a crooked mud wall (kandh) discussing the marriage plans with the Brahmin clergy. It was planned to push the wall on top of the Guru but Guru Nanak was warned of the plan by an old woman. Guru Nanak just smiled and said "This wall will not fall for centuries. The will of God shall prevail." The wall is still preserved within the Gurdwara and a celebration is held here every year on the anniversary of Guru Nanak's marriage.

Amritsar City. With a part of the land granted by Emperor Akbar, the foundation stone laid by a Muslim Sufi Saint, Mian Mir, the construction was completed in 1601. Free kitchen and recitation of the divine word never cease here. Its four gates invite everyone from all directions, the scripture is unique, it contain the divine message as received by saints, bhagats and pirs of all the faiths of India.

The Baisakhi and Diwali fairs in April and October every year are celebrated with great fervor and gusto.

On the fair of Baisakhi all the jewelry in the toshakhana (treasury) of the temple, which consist of indescribable ornaments, is displayed around Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

Diwali of Amritsar is out-of-the-world. The entire Golden Temple is illuminated with traditional lamps of different colours. The reflection of the temple in the shimmering water of the holy pool binds the eye, to the many-a-splendoured pageant. Fire works display by the traditional professionals recreates the glory of the times gone past.

Gurudwara Shish Mahal Sahib
The 6^th Prophet had established his residence here. The 7^th Prophet Sri Guru Har Rai Ji and the 8^th Prophet Sri Guru Harkrishan Ji were born here.


Gurudwara Damadama Sahib
The 6^th Prophet used to deliver divine sermons here.


Gurudwara Sri Takhat Sahib
The 6^th and the 7^th Prophets were proclaimed Gurus at this spot according to the Sikh tradition and rites.


Gurudwara Harmandir Sahib
The 6^th Prophet had laid a herbal and flower garden here. Mohsin Fani, the famous scholar of Religions of his times and the Mughal Prince, Dara Shikoh had met Sri Guru Hargobind Ji here.


Gurudwara Manji Sahib
Marks the site where the 6^th Prophet's daughter, Bibi Veero had got her house constructed. A sacramental book containing divine hymns (Pothi), a cot, a hand-fan and a scarf gifted to her by her father and the holy of cap of Guru Nanak Dev Ji can be seen here.


Gurudwara Babaan Garh
Bhai Jaita (Jiwan Singh after baptism), in defiance of the Mughal authority had managed to escape with the martyred head of the 9^th Prophet,Sri Guru Teg Bahadur from Delhi after his martyrdom in 1675. It was first rested here.

From Gurudwara TEER SAHIB the 6^th Prophet had revealed Gurudwara Patal Puri by shooting an arrow. The 7^th Prophet was created at Patal Puri and ashes of the 8^th Prophet were immersed in river Satluj nearby. Gurudwara Baba GURDITTA is located on a close by hill.

In 1665 the 9^th Prophet Sri Guru Teg Bahadur had bought the site of Anandpur Sahib from the Rani of Bilaspur.


Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib
The martyred head of Guru Teg Bahadur who embraced martyrdom in Delhi in 1675 to save Hindu dharm was brought from Kiratpur Sahib and cremated here.


Gurudwara Takhat Sri Keshgarh Sahib
The Panj Piaras five beloved ones) were baptised here ; Sikhs were consummated as the Khalsa -saint soldiers, at this spot. 12 weapons of the 10^thProphet are preserved here. One among them is Hazrat Ali's sword. The Hola Mohalla fair of Anandpur Sahib is famous.


Gurudwara Damadama Sahib
On 17^th December 1975 the 10^th Prophet was proclaimed as the Guru here.


Gurudwara Guru-ka-Lahore
(11 Kms from Anandpur Sahib) On 25^th January,1686 the 10^th Prophet was married to Mata Jito Ji here. Three springs of water which the 10^th Prophet had lanced open from huge rocks are still flowing.

Sandwiched between Sri Anandpur Sahib and Sri Kiratpur Sahib is CHAMKAUR SAHIB. It was in this area where , having sworn safe passage to the 10^th Prophet's family and forces the Mughal and the hill Chiefs had treacherously attacked them. Gurudrawa Katal Garh Sahib commemorates the martyrdom of the two elder Sahibzadas and 37 Singhs who had died fighting here,Gurudrawa Pariwar Vichhora Sahib marks the site where the 10^th Prophet's family got scattered. Gurudwaras GARHI SAHIB, TARRI SAHIB, RANJITGARH SAHIB are connected with the dharm yudh that the 10^th Prophet had waged against the tyrants.